Housing for hollow sensor roller, hollow sensor roller and roller bearing

Abstract

The invention relates to a hollow sensor roller (10) for a rolling bearing (1). The invention relates to a hollow sensing roller (10) comprising a roller body (11) having a through-axial central bore (12) and housings (13) fitted within the through-axial central bore of the roller (10), each end of the through-axial central bore (12), the housing (13) comprising: a central module (14) and a power module (15) inserted into a first end of the roller body (11); an end piece (17) comprising an end cap (17a) inserted into the second end of the roller body (11); a first annular sealing element (19) interposed between an end cap (15a) of the power module and the roller body (11); and a second annular sealing element (20) interposed between the end cap (17a) of the end piece and the roller body (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the monitoring of rolling bearings, and more particularly, to a hollow sensorized roller for monitoring rolling bearings. Background Technology

[0002] It is known to implement sensing rollers in rolling bearings to perform condition monitoring of rolling bearings.

[0003] The sensing roller includes a housing enclosing a central module, which includes a measuring device for measuring the deformation of the roller, electronics for processing the deformation signal from the measuring device, and an antenna for wirelessly transmitting the processed deformation signal to an external receiver.

[0004] To supply power to the measuring device, the housing also encloses an energy harvesting module to generate power from the movement of the rollers and supply the power to the measuring device.

[0005] The energy harvesting module includes a generator to produce electricity from the rotation of sensing rollers.

[0006] To ensure the proper functioning of the sensing rollers, the hollow sensing rollers must be hermetically sealed to protect the measuring device and generator from the intrusion of grease, oil, and other contaminants.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an airtight hollow sensing roller in which an energy harvesting module is robustly fixed to the module. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Based on this, a hollow sensing roller for rolling bearings is proposed.

[0009] The hollow sensing roller includes a roller body and a housing. The roller body has a through axial central bore, and the housing is assembled inside the through axial central bore of the roller.

[0010] The housing includes:

[0011] - Power module and end part,

[0012] - The power module includes an end cap that is inserted into a first end of a through-axial central hole in the roller body.

[0013] - The end component includes an end cap inserted into a second end portion of a through-axial central bore in the roller body.

[0014] - A first annular sealing element, located between the end cap of the power module and the through axial central hole of the roller body, and

[0015] - A second annular sealing element is located between the end cap of the end component and the through axial center hole of the roller body.

[0016] The housing is airtightly sealed within the roller body, protecting the electronics of the central module from grease, oil, and other contaminants, thus ensuring the reliability of the hollow sensing roller and extending its lifespan.

[0017] Furthermore, the sealing element positioned between the end cap and the roller body restricts the axial and radial movement of the power module and end components within the roller body, thus limiting the relative movement between the housing and the roller body.

[0018] Preferably, the end cap of the power module includes a cylindrical body and an end portion extending radially outward from the cylindrical body, wherein the first annular sealing element is radially located between the cylindrical body of the end cap and the through axial central hole of the roller body, and axially located between the end portion of the end cap and the through axial central hole of the roller body.

[0019] Advantageously, the groove is formed on the cylindrical body of the end cap, and the first annular sealing element is partially located inside the groove.

[0020] Preferably, the first end of the through-axial central hole of the roller body includes a tapered portion, and the end portion of the end cap of the power module is tapered and inserted into the tapered portion.

[0021] Advantageously, the end cap of the end part includes a cylindrical body and an end portion extending radially outward from the cylindrical body, and the second annular sealing element is radially located between the cylindrical body of the end part and the through axial central hole of the roller body, and axially located between the end portion of the end cap of the end part and the through axial central hole of the roller body.

[0022] Advantageously, the groove is formed on the cylindrical body of the end cap of the end component, and the second annular sealing element is partially located inside the groove.

[0023] Preferably, the first end of the roller body through the axial central hole includes a tapered portion, and the end portion of the end cap is tapered and inserted into the tapered portion.

[0024] Preferably, the hollow sensing roller further includes a central module and an interface, the central module including a tubular housing, the interface supporting the power module and the central module, and the end component fixed to the central module.

[0025] Advantageously, the hollow sensing roller also includes an anti-rotation means. The interface has a frontal face and a mounting base. The frontal face is in axial contact with the first end of the tubular housing of the central module. The end cap of the power module is mounted on the mounting base. The anti-rotation means is supported by the frontal face of the interface and inserted into the tubular housing of the central module to prevent the housing from rotating relative to the interface.

[0026] On the other hand, a rolling bearing is proposed.

[0027] The rolling bearing includes a stationary ring and a mobile ring capable of rotating concentrically relative to each other, and at least one row of rolling elements between a first raceway and a second raceway respectively disposed on the first ring and the second ring, one of the rolling elements being a hollow sensing roller as defined above. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent upon reviewing the detailed description of the embodiments (in no way limiting) and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 An example of a roller bearing according to the invention is shown schematically;

[0030] Figure 2 An example of a hollow sensing roller according to the present invention is shown schematically;

[0031] Figure 3 and Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A partial view and longitudinal section of an example of the first end of the housing of the hollow sensing roller;

[0032] Figure 5 This is an example of a longitudinal section of a power module housed within the roller body;

[0033] Figure 6 and Figure 7 yes Figure 2 A partial view and longitudinal section of an example of the second end of the housing of the hollow sensing roller;

[0034] Figure 8 This is an example of a longitudinal section of the end components and center module housed within the roller body;

[0035] Figure 9 and Figure 10 It shows Figure 3 and Figure 4 A view of the interface of the housing. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 1 An example of roller bearing 1 is shown schematically.

[0037] Bearing 1 is a tapered roller bearing and includes an outer ring or stationary ring 2. The outer ring or stationary ring 2 is provided with a first outer raceway and a second outer raceway of tapered shape for the rolling elements of a first row 3 and a second row 4 of tapered rollers. The bearing also includes a mobile ring, which is provided with a first inner ring or mobile ring 5 and a second inner ring or mobile ring 6. The first inner ring or mobile ring 5 and the second inner ring or mobile ring 6 are stacked axially and are respectively provided with a first inner raceway and a second inner raceway of tapered shape for the first row 3 and the second row 4. In addition, bearing 1 also includes a first cage 7 and a second cage 8 for retaining the rollers in the first set and the second set of rollers, respectively. Typically, the cage can be formed by segments that abut against each other in the circumferential direction.

[0038] To provide the necessary rigidity and ensure a long service life, the bearing is preloaded. The axial positions of the moving rings 5 ​​and 6 relative to the stationary ring 2 are set such that the first roller group 3 and the second roller group 4 have negative internal clearance.

[0039] In the variant, bearing 1 is a spherical roller bearing or a cylindrical roller bearing, and is not preloaded.

[0040] In the depicted bearing, at least one rolling element in either the first roller row 3 or the second roller row 4 is replaced with a hollow sensing roller. The shaft 9 is surrounded and fixed to the movable rings 5 ​​and 6.

[0041] Rolling bearing 1 includes tapered rollers.

[0042] In another embodiment, the rolling bearing 1 may include other types of rolling elements, such as cylindrical rollers or spherical rollers. The rolling bearing 1 may also include only one row of rolling elements or more than two rows of rolling elements, the number of cages being determined according to the number of rows.

[0043] The rolling bearing 1, which includes a row of rolling elements, includes a single inner ring.

[0044] In another embodiment, outer ring 2 is a movable ring, and inner rings 5 ​​and 6 are stationary rings.

[0045] Figure 2 An example of a hollow sensing roller 10 is shown schematically.

[0046] The hollow sensing roller 10 includes a roller body 11 and a housing 13. The roller body 11 includes a through axial central bore 12, and the housing 13 is located within the through central bore 12 extending through the roller body 11.

[0047] Each end of the through-axial central bore 12 includes an axial centring portion 12a, a tapered portion 12b, and a radial shoulder 12c. The tapered portion 12b extends obliquely outward from a first end of the centring portion 12a, and the radial shoulder 12c extends radially inward from a second end of the centring portion 12a.

[0048] The housing 13 includes a central module 14, a power module 15, an interface 16 supporting the power module 15 and the central module 14, and an end part 17.

[0049] The central module 14 includes a tubular housing 14a, and the power module 15 includes an end cap 15a that is inserted into the first end of the hole 12 of the roller body 11.

[0050] The first annular sealing element 19 is located between the end cap 15a of the power module 15 and the hole 12 of the roller body 11.

[0051] The central module 14 is formed by two semi-cylindrical housing halves, which are held together axially by end caps 17 and mating members 16. Screws and dowel pins (not shown) connect the two semi-cylindrical housing halves together radially.

[0052] The central module 14 houses at least one sensor. Figure 2 (Not shown in the image) is used to measure parameters related to the condition of the hollow sensing roller. The sensor is fixed to the tubular housing 14a of the central module 14 and includes, for example, a load sensor for measuring the load distribution on the hollow sensing roller.

[0053] The central module 14 also houses an antenna (not shown) fixed to the tubular housing 14a of the central module 14. The central module 14 may also house a wireless transmitter (not shown) connected to the antenna to transmit the sensor's measurement results to a processing device (not shown) located outside the bearing for processing the measurement results.

[0054] The end cap 15a of the power module 15 includes a cylindrical body 15b and an end portion 15c extending radially outward from the cylindrical body 15b.

[0055] The first annular sealing element 19 is located radially between the cylindrical body 15b of the end cap 15a and the hole 12 of the roller body 11, and axially between the end portion 15c of the end cap 15a and the hole 12 of the roller body 11.

[0056] The mating part 16 is provided with a frontal face 16a, which is in axial contact with the first end 14b of the housing 14a of the central module 14.

[0057] The docking part 16 is also provided with a mounting base 16b, and the first end 15d of the cylindrical body 15b of the end cap 15a of the power module 15 is mounted on the mounting base 16b.

[0058] The end portion 15c of the end cap 15a is fixed to the second end of the cylindrical body 15b of the end cap 15a.

[0059] A groove 15e is formed on the cylindrical body 15b of the end cap 15a of the power module 15. A first annular sealing element 19 is partially located inside the groove 15e.

[0060] The housing 13 also includes an anti-rotation component supported by the front 16a of the docking member 16 and inserted into the tubular housing 14a of the central module 14 to prevent the tubular housing 14a from rotating relative to the docking member 16.

[0061] The housing 13 also includes fixing means 18 to securely mount the base 16b and the first end 15b of the end cap 15a of the power module 15.

[0062] The end part 17 includes an end cap 17a, which is inserted into the second end of the hole 12 in the roller body 11.

[0063] The second annular sealing element 20 is located between the end cap 17a of the end member 17 and the hole 12 of the roller body 11.

[0064] The end cap 17a of the end component 17 includes a cylindrical body 17b and an end portion 17c extending outward from the cylindrical body 17b.

[0065] The second annular sealing element 20 is located radially between the cylindrical body 17b of the end member 17 and the hole 12 of the roller body 11, and axially between the end portion 17c of the end cap 17a of the end member 17 and the hole 12 of the roller body 11.

[0066] The first end 17d of the cylindrical body 17b of the end cap 17a of the end component 17 is fixed to the second end 14c of the tubular housing 14c of the central module 14.

[0067] The cylindrical body 17b of the end cap 17a of the end component 17 can be clipped onto the end 14c of the tubular housing 14a of the central module 14.

[0068] The groove 17e is formed on the cylindrical body 17b of the end cap 17a of the end member 17. The second annular sealing element 20 is partially located inside the groove 17e.

[0069] The housing 13 is generally shaped to fit within the roller bore 12 and is mounted into and located within the bore 12 by means of a first sealing element 19 and a second sealing element 20.

[0070] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Partial views and longitudinal sections of an example of the central module 14 and the power module 15 are shown, respectively.

[0071] The sensors and antennas housed in the central module 14 Figure 4 The above indicates and is marked with 25.

[0072] The anti-rotation component includes a non-circular part 26, which protrudes relative to the front face 16a and is supported by the front face 16a.

[0073] The first end 14b of the central module 14 also includes an aperture 27 with a complementary shape having a non-circular portion 26.

[0074] The non-circular portion 26 is inserted into the non-circular aperture 27 to prevent the housing 14a of the central module 14 from rotating relative to the mating member 16.

[0075] The non-circular portion 26 can be rectangular, triangular, square, hexagonal, star-shaped, or other shapes, so that the mating part 16 does not rotate relative to the housing 14a of the central module 14.

[0076] The housing 13 also includes a securing means for axially securing the mating member 16 and the central module 14 to the first end 14b of the housing 14a.

[0077] The fixing component includes at least a first pin 28 and a second pin 29 supported by a non-circular portion 26.

[0078] The first end of the first pin 28 is inserted into the first lateral face 26a of the non-circular portion 26, and the first end of the second pin 29 is inserted into the second lateral face 26b of the non-circular portion 26.

[0079] The second lateral surface 26b of the non-circular portion 26 is opposite to the first lateral surface 26a of the non-circular portion 26.

[0080] The second ends of the first pin 28 and the second pin 29 are inserted into the tubular housing 14a of the central module 14.

[0081] The second side surface 26b of the second pin 29 and the non-circular portion 26 is in Figure 9 The Chinese side indicated that...

[0082] Power module 15 can accommodate an energy harvester.

[0083] The energy harvester includes, for example, a generator 30 having an axis along the longitudinal axis XX of the hollow sensing roller 10. The generator generates energy by utilizing the rotation of the hollow sensing roller 10.

[0084] The generator 30 includes a stator 30a, an eccentric mass or weight 30b, a rotor 30d, and a stator coil 30e. The stator 30a is rigidly fixed to the cylindrical body 15b of the end cap 15a of the power module 15. The eccentric mass or weight 30b is rigidly fixed to a main shaft 30c having an axis along a first axis XX. The rotor 30d is fixed to the shaft 30c. The stator coil 30e is mounted in the stator 30a and is configured to rotate by the rotation of the hollow sensing roller 10.

[0085] Stator coil 30e forms a single stator pole.

[0086] The rotor 30d includes a magnetic ring 30f, which includes, for example, a permanent magnet.

[0087] When the hollow sensing roller 10 rotates along the first rotation axis XX, the eccentric mass 30b is driven by gravity G and centrifugal force to maintain the main shaft 30c of the generator 30. The rotation of the hollow sensing roller drives the stator 30a of the generator 30 to rotate, and thus drives the stator coil 30e of the generator 30 to rotate.

[0088] The stator 30a is located between the rotor 30d and the mounting base 16b.

[0089] The stator 30a may include flux guides 30g that encompass the rotor 30d to guide the magnetic flux. A magnetic ring 30f generates an electromotive force between the ends of the coils 30e in front of the flux guides 30g.

[0090] The power generated by generator 30 depends on the magnetic flux passing through coil 30e. Magnetic flux guide 30g gathers and guides the magnetic flux of rotor 30d through stator coil 30e of stator 30a, causing stator coil 30e to generate a higher electromotive force.

[0091] The flux guide 30g redirects all the magnetic flux of the magnetic ring 30f in the axial direction, so that the magnetic flux passes through the stator coil 30e.

[0092] Generator 30 is a claw pole generator.

[0093] In a variant, generator 30 may include multiple stator poles, and generator 30 may be, for example, a multi-pole brushless DC electric motor (BLDC).

[0094] Generator 30 can be another type of generator.

[0095] The end portion 15c of the end cap 15 of the power module 15 and the mounting base 16b of the docking member 16 include holes 31 and 32. The holes 31 and 32 accommodate bearings 33 and 34. The bearings 33 and 34 support the main shaft 30c of the generator 30 and limit the friction of the main shaft 30c.

[0096] Bearings 33 and 34 restrict the axial and radial displacement of the spindle 30c, thereby reducing the air gap between the magnetic ring 30f and the flux guide 30g. The restriction of the axial and radial displacement of the spindle 30c further prevents collisions between the magnetic ring 30f and the flux guide 30g, and also prevents collisions between the eccentric mass 30b and the tubular housing 15a of the power module 15.

[0097] Bearings 33 and 34 may include deep groove ball bearings.

[0098] The docking component 16 also includes an axial through-hole 35, through which a wire 36 passes to electrically connect the power module 15 and the center module 14.

[0099] Since the power module 15 and the center module 14 are fixed together in such a way that the power module 15 cannot rotate relative to the center module 14, the wire 32 will not be damaged.

[0100] The end portion 15c of the end cap 15a may be tapered.

[0101] Similarly, the end portion 17c of the end cap 17a of the end member 17 may be tapered.

[0102] Figure 5 A longitudinal section of an example of a power module 15 housed in a roller body 11 is shown.

[0103] The first sealing element 19 hermetically seals the power module 15 within the roller body 11. The first sealing element 19 is radially positioned between the groove 15e of the end cap 15a of the power module 15 and the centering portion 12a of the first end of the through-axial central bore 12 of the roller body 11. The first sealing element 19 is axially positioned between the end portion 15c of the end cap 15a of the power module 15 and the radial shoulder 12c of the first end of the through-axial central bore 12 of the roller body.

[0104] Furthermore, the arrangement of the first sealing element 19, the end portion 15c of the end cap 15a, and the groove 15e of the end cap 15a restricts the axial and radial movement of the power module 15 in the roller body 11.

[0105] The end portion 15c of the end cap 15a of the power module 15 is tapered and is inserted into the tapered portion 12b that passes through the axial central hole 12, such that the smallest base of the tapered end portion 15c of the end cap 15a of the power module 15 contacts the first sealing element 19. The tapered end portion 15c is accommodated in the tapered portion 12b.

[0106] The configuration of the tapered end portion 15c and the tapered portion 12b further restricts the axial and radial movement of the power module 15 within the roller body 11.

[0107] Figure 6 and Figure 7 Partial views and longitudinal sections of an example of the central module 14 and the end component 17 are shown, respectively.

[0108] In this example, the cylindrical body 17b of the end cap 17a of the end component 17 is clamped to the end 14c of the tubular housing 14a of the central module 14.

[0109] The end 14c of the tubular housing 14a of the central module 14 includes a groove 14d, and the cylindrical body 17a of the end member 17 includes a tip 17f that is clamped into the groove 14d of the central module 14.

[0110] Figure 8 A longitudinal section of an example of a central module 14 and end member 17 housed in a roller body 11 is shown.

[0111] The second sealing element 20 hermetically seals the end member 17 within the roller body 11. The second sealing element 20 is radially positioned between the groove 17e of the end cap 17a of the end member 17 and the centering portion 12a of the second end of the through-axial central bore 12 of the roller body. The second sealing element 20 is axially positioned between the end portion 17c of the end cap 17a of the end member 17 and the radial shoulder 12c of the second end of the through-axial central bore 12 of the roller body 11.

[0112] Furthermore, the configuration of the second sealing element 20, the end portion 17c of the end cap 17a, and the groove 17e of the end cap 17a restricts the axial and radial movement of the end member 17 in the roller body 11.

[0113] The end portion 17c of the end cap 17a of the end member 17 is tapered and is inserted into the tapered portion 12b through the axial central hole 12, such that the minimum base of the tapered end portion 17c of the end cap 17a of the end member 17 contacts the second sealing element 20. The tapered end portion 17c is accommodated in the tapered portion 12b.

[0114] The configuration of the tapered end portion 17c and the tapered portion 12b further restricts the axial and radial movement of the end member 17 in the roller body 11.

[0115] Figure 9 and Figure 10 It shows Figure 3 and Figure 4 A view of an example of the docking piece 16 shown.

[0116] The mounting base 16b of the docking part 16 includes a circumferential surface 16c, and the end cap 15a of the power module 15 is mounted on the circumferential surface 16c.

[0117] The fixing means 18 includes a first set of through holes 18a in the lateral face of the end cap 15a of the power module 15. Figure 3 (as indicated by the central marking), a second set of holes 18b in the circumferential surface 16c, and multiple screws 18c.

[0118] Each screw 18c passes through one of the through holes in the first set of through holes 18a and engages in one of the holes in the second set of holes 18b.

[0119] The docking piece 16 allows the power module 15 to be robustly secured to the center module 14 in a removable manner and simplifies the installation of the hollow sensing roller 10.

Claims

1. A hollow sensing roller (10) for a rolling bearing (1), comprising a roller body (11) and a housing (13), the roller body (11) having a through axial central hole (12), the housing (13) being fitted into the through axial central hole of the roller (10), the housing (13) comprising: - Power module (15) and terminal component (17), - The power module (15) includes an end cap (15a) inserted into a first end of a through-axial central hole (12) of the roller body (11). -The end component (17) includes an end cap (17a) inserted into a second end of the roller body (11) through an axial central hole (12). - A first annular sealing element (19) is located between the end cap (15a) of the power module and the through axial central hole (12) of the roller body (11), and - A second annular sealing element (20) is located between the end cap (17a) of the end component and the through axial center hole (12) of the roller body (11).

2. The hollow sensing roller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end cap (15a) of the power module (15) includes a cylindrical body (15b) and an end portion (15c) extending radially outward from the cylindrical body (15b). The first annular sealing element (19) is radially located between the cylindrical body (15b) of the end cap and the through axial central hole (12) of the roller body (11), and axially located between the end portion (15c) of the end cap and the through axial central hole (12) of the roller body (11).

3. The hollow sensing roller according to claim 2, characterized in that, A groove (15e) is formed on the cylindrical body (15b) of the end cap, and the first annular sealing element (19) is partially located inside the groove (15e).

4. The hollow sensing roller according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The first end of the through axial center hole (12) of the roller body includes a tapered portion (12b), and the end portion (15c) of the end cap (15a) of the power module is tapered and inserted into the tapered portion (12b).

5. The hollow sensing roller according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The end cap (17a) of the end member (17) includes a cylindrical body (17b) and an end portion (17c) extending radially outward from the cylindrical body (17b). The second annular sealing element (20) is radially located between the cylindrical body (17b) of the end member (17) and the through axial central hole (12) of the roller body (11), and axially located between the end portion (17c) of the end cap (17a) of the end member (17) and the through axial central hole (12) of the roller body (11).

6. The hollow sensing roller according to claim 5, characterized in that, A groove (17e) is formed on the cylindrical body (17b) of the end cap (17a) of the end member (17), and the second annular sealing element (20) is partially located inside the groove (17e).

7. The hollow sensing roller according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The first end of the roller body (11) through the axial center hole (12) includes a tapered portion (12b), and the end portion (17c) of the end cap (17a) is tapered and inserted into the tapered portion (12b).

8. The hollow sensing roller according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The hollow sensing roller also includes a central module (14) and a docking part (16). The central module (14) includes a tubular housing (14a). The docking part (16) supports the power module (15) and the central module (14). The end part (17) is fixed to the central module (14).

9. The hollow sensing roller according to claim 8, characterized in that, The hollow sensing roller also includes an anti-rotation component (27). The docking member (16) is provided with a front side (16a) and a mounting base (16b). The front side (16a) is axially in contact with the first end (14b) of the tubular housing (14a) of the central module (14). The end cap (15a) of the power module (15) is mounted on the mounting base (16b). The anti-rotation component (27) is supported by the front side (16a) of the docking member (16) and inserted into the tubular housing (14a) of the central module (14) to prevent the housing from rotating relative to the docking member.

10. A rolling bearing (1) comprising a stationary ring (2) and a movable ring (5, 6) capable of rotating concentrically relative to each other, and at least one row of rolling elements (3, 4) between a first raceway and a second raceway respectively disposed on a first ring and a second ring, wherein one rolling element is a hollow sensing roller (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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